‘King Kong’ Chapchai leads Asian Tour hopes

A new putter propelled Chapchai Nirat to a five-under-par 66 in the first round of the European Masters on Thursday.

The Thai star sank seven birdies against a double bogey at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club to lead the Asian Tour’s challenge at the US$2.8 million co-sanctioned event with the European Tour.

Chapchai’s playing partner Matteo Manassero, a 17-year-old Italian, fired a 64 and leads Finland’s Mikko Ilonen and Englishman Graeme Storm by a stroke.

Starting from the 10th, the big-hitting Chapchai overcame a costly five at the par three 16th hole with some hot putting. He converted all his birdie chances from inside of 10 feet.

“Today, my putting was very good. I changed my putter this week and it feels better. This course is difficult. With the [high] altitude, it is difficult to judge the distances and the greens are difficult too,” the three-time Asian Tour winner said.

Chapchai, nicknamed “King Kong” for his long driving game, lamented his lone error when a wayward tee shot at the 16th hole saw him land well left of the target.

He was forced to lay up his second shot before staggering off with a double bogey.

“I hit one bad shot. If you can hit the fairways here, the second shot is easy. I played here last year and I really like it,” said the 27-year-old, who ended the day in tied fourth place with amongst others, last week’s winner of the Johnnie Walker Championship Edoardo Molinari of Italy and Asian Tour member Rick Kulacz of Australia.

Malaysia’s Ben Leong stormed home with four birdies in his last six holes for a solid 69 while India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, a two-time Asian Tour No. 1, shot a 70.

Angelo Que of the Philippines, winner of last month’s Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters and top-10 here last year, opened with a 70 as well.

“I was really disappointed with the way I played. I hit the ball really well but couldn’t hole anything. It was summed up at the last hole, making a bogey with a sand wedge in hand,” Singh said.

Que was delighted to finish in red figures.

“My short game was pretty amazing. It saved me quite a few times as I made up and downs about eight or nine times and to shoot one under was amazing. I’ve got positive vibes coming back here,” the Filipino said.

Reigning Asian Tour No. 1 Thongchai Jaidee battled to a 71 which was matched by current Order of Merit leader Noh Seung-yul of Korea, who played alongside Australian legend Greg Norman.

Norman returned a 75.

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